This move comes immediately after the India’s top telecom body TRAI on Monday issued a notification prohibiting against industry practise of discriminatory tariffs, also known as differential pricing for data services.

“The' Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs For Data Services Regulations,2016' that disallow service providers to offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content being accessed by a consumer,” TRAI stated in the notification.

With this ban on Facebook’s Free Basics internet scheme, Indian authorities have finally put an end to the long on-going nationwide debate on differential pricing model for data services and strongly backed the campaign for net neutrality.

Facebook’s Free Basics internet scheme allows free access to limited number of websites and Reliance Communications is the only communication services provider which offered Facebook’s free internet service to its subscribers.

In the notification, TRAI has put some strict conditions for service providers that will disallow any further discriminatory pricing in near future. It stated that no service provider shall offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content.

Also, it prohibits any service provider from having any pact or contract with any individual on legal or natural basis that falls under the purview the discriminatory tariffs for data services, which is offered or charged to customers.

However, going by this condition, Reliance Communication could find itself in trouble as it has a partnership with Facebook for the Free Basics internet service, which actually violates one of the conditions stated in the TRAI’s notification today.

In addition, TRAI has allowed service providers to offer reduced rates for data access during the time of any emergency or public emergency services. Further in case of any violation of issued guidelines, the notification suggested for financial penalties on service providers.

Service providers in many countries in South East Asia including Philippines and Indonesia have being providing Facebook’s Free Basics internet service that allows limited access.

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